Monday, August 3 Exodus 20:22-26 “Regarding idols and altars” The reiteration of the first two commandments indicates their importance for understanding what follows, not only in this brief passage about idols and altars, but to the rest of what is known as the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20:22-23:19), a section of Exodus that… Read more about Exodus 21 and 22
Exodus 19 and 20
Monday, July 27 Exodus 19:1-15 “Out of all the nations you will be my treasured possession” The Israelites arrive at Mount Sinai and set up camp. Immediately Moses climbs the mountain to speak with God, the first of three such trips in this chapter. Moses ascends the mountain not simply to commune with… Read more about Exodus 19 and 20
Exodus 16, 17 and 18
Monday, July 20 Exodus 15:22-27 “The water was too bitter to drink” Israel has crossed the Red Sea and will remain in the desert for the remainder of the book of Exodus. Not until the third chapter of the book of Joshua will they cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. To… Read more about Exodus 16, 17 and 18
Exodus 13 and 14
Monday, July 13 Exodus 13:17-22 “Pharaoh finally let the people go” Finally, the Israelites leave Egypt! The story takes an unexpected twist, however. God leads the Israelites on a path that they may not have expected – the longer route rather than the shorter. The reason stated is that the shorter route will… Read more about Exodus 13 and 14
Exodus 11 and 12
Monday, July 6 Exodus 11:1-10 “The firstborn of Egypt will die” With the tenth plague we have arrived at the climax of the plague account. The announcement of this plague should be read in light of 4:21-25, where God had previously told Moses what would ultimately happen to Egypt. Calling Israel his firstborn… Read more about Exodus 11 and 12
Exodus 9 and 10
Monday, June 29 Exodus 9:1-7 “The livestock of the Egyptians died” Moses returns to Pharaoh and proclaims the now familiar phrase: “This is what the Lord says.” The hand of God is about to bring a terrible plague on Egyptian livestock. The “hand” of God to deliver the Israelites is a common term… Read more about Exodus 9 and 10
Exodus 7 and 8
Monday, June 22 Exodus 7:8-13 “Show me a miracle” Changing his staff into a snake is one of the three signs that God showed to Moses during their first conversation on Mount Sinai. Aaron casts his staff before Pharaoh and it turns into a snake. Pharaoh’s magicians duplicate the feat, but Aaron’s snake… Read more about Exodus 7 and 8
Exodus 5 and 6
Monday, June 15 Exodus 5:1-5 “I don’t know the Lord” Moses returns to Egypt and is now ready to carry out the task that God has specifically chosen for him. One might expect a quick, decisive end to Pharaoh’s enslavement of God’s people, but this is not what happens. Things will get worse… Read more about Exodus 5 and 6